Valentine’s Day is fast approaching and between COVID-19 restrictions and the harsh winter weather, deciding to stay in and watch a movie is becoming more and more appealing this year. Whether you’re spending the holiday with a significant other, with friends, with roommates or by yourself (there’s no shame!), there are plenty of rom-coms out there to choose from. With February 14th being a day centered around romance, you might want to be careful with your movie pick – being freshly single and watching a love-filled film this Sunday is a recipe for disaster. You can definitely make the most out of Valentine’s Day with these fun rom-com picks based on your current relationship status.
If you’re single, watch Isn’t It Romantic
Starring Rebel Wilson and Liam Hemsworth, this light-hearted movie is sure to make you laugh and raise your spirits. Although it’s more than okay to be single on Valentine’s Day (or any day of the year, for that matter), it can be hard not to be a little bitter when you’re surrounded by happy couples and reminders of your relationship status. This movie is relatable in the sense that the main character is pretty cynical about love and it pokes fun at the entire romantic comedy genre.
If you’re talking to someone, watch 50 First Dates
Still light-hearted, but a little more heartfelt, this movie is the perfect blend of comedy and love. Adam Sandler’s attempts to woo a woman with short-term memory loss can be funny and slightly relatable if you’re in the talking stage with a special someone. Who knows, it could also give you some inspiration for a first date – and possibly even the courage to ask them on one!
If your relationship status is complicated, watch He’s Just Not That Into You
This movie, which was actually based on a self-help book, explores multiple storylines of people struggling in their romantic endeavors. The main character, Gigi, keeps pursuing men that she is convinced are into her, despite her friend Alex telling her that they are uninterested. The confusion and anxiety that comes with trying to interpret mixed signals is painfully accurate. The movie also hits on almost every problem you could encounter in trying to find love, from cheating to gaslighting to workplace crushes and more. There’s truly advice for every situation!
If you’re in a relationship, watch The Notebook
Ah yes, the quintessential sappy romance movie. If you’re a sucker for melodramatic and romantic cliches, this is the movie for you. As someone in a relationship on a holiday all about love, it makes sense for you to watch the most popular romantic movie there is. While your single friends might opt for a funny or more light-hearted film, you might go the opposite route. Snuggle up with your partner and a box of tissues this Valentine’s Day.
If you’re going through a breakup, watch Someone Great
This Netflix original follows a day in the life of a girl trying to live it up with her two best friends after her boyfriend dumps her unexpectedly. It puts a spin on the entire rom-com genre by being an uplifting, coming of age movie despite how sad the plot sounds. If you’re going through a breakup this Valentine’s Day, let yourself laugh and cry at this emotional rollercoaster of a movie. (As a bonus, the soundtrack is amazing, featuring Lizzo, Taylor Swift and Lorde.)
If you’re a hopeless romantic, watch Valentine’s Day
If you’d call yourself a hopeless romantic, you undoubtedly love Valentine’s Day and all the cliches surrounding it. You probably have heart-shaped décor up, bought (or received) flowers and are eager to watch a love-filled movie. So, if you love love, why not watch a movie all about it? Valentine’s Day follows interconnected stories taking place on a single day, with different plots from first dates to long-term couples.
If you’re crushing on a friend, watch Always Be My Maybe
This is another Netflix original that has been widely raved about. Who can’t relate to the innocent childhood crush on a friend? If you’ve ever fantasized about rekindling that old bond, this movie portrays just what might happen. After not speaking for 15 years, the main characters reconnect after a random encounter and decide to come back into each other’s lives. This movie just might be the push you need to reach out to someone from your past or confess your feelings to a current friend.
If you’re in a friends with benefits situation, watch Fifty Shades of Gray
For you, forgoing the romance on Valentine’s Day might be the way to go. If you’re ready to skip the flowers and chocolate and instead get in the ~mood~ with that special friend that you have over, this is the movie to put on. Valentine’s Day means something different to everyone, and there is no judgment if you prefer sexy over sweet. So, if it seems like your “situationship” isn’t going to turn into a relationship, cheesy rom-coms are probably a no-go.